On-Board Vessel Entertainment System

ABSTRACT

An improved user experience is provided for passengers on a vessel such as an airplane, train or ship. Passengers can customize their travel experience ahead of time by accessing a web-based server system to indicate preferences with respect to a number of in-flight entertainment options. The passenger&#39;s experience is also enhanced by allowing passengers to share preferences such as media playlists with others. Meals can be ordered on-demand once on board, and seat-to-seat chat as well as group chatting is also made available through an in-seat or other proximate entertainment device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a division of application Ser. No. 11/853,016, filedon Sep. 10, 2007, which claims the benefit of provisional applicationSer. No. 60/825,071, filed on Sep. 8, 2006, each of which isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a vessel entertainmentsystem. More specifically, the present invention is directed toward anon-board system for use on airplanes, trains, ships and other vessels,and which enables entertainment and communications features customizableby each passenger.

2. Description of the Related Art

Many commercial vessels designed to carry passengers includeentertainment systems. For example, many airlines operateaircraft—particularly on international flight segments—that includedisplays mounted in the back of each seat, allowing passengers to watchin-flight movies, television shows, and view real-time maps showing theaircraft's location, airspeed, and distance to destination. However, thefeatures available using these conventional devices are limited.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention enables an improved user experience for passengerson a vessel. Passengers can customize their travel experience ahead oftime by accessing a web-based server system to indicate preferences withrespect to a number of in-flight entertainment options. The passenger'sexperience is also enhanced by allowing passengers to share preferencessuch as media playlists with others.

In one embodiment, a user creates a profile on a website associated withthe vessel in which he will be traveling, for example, an airline ortrain company website. Once the passenger has an account with thewebsite, he specifies preferences, which may include creating audioplaylists, video (movies and television) playlists, meal preferences,buddy lists, and privacy preferences. User preference data is stored inan account associated with the user.

Next, the user makes arrangements to travel aboard the vessel. Forexample, the user may be an airline passenger making arrangements totravel aboard a specific flight. Once the reservation is made, theuser's preference data is associated with the reservation and ispreloaded on the vessel prior to the user's voyage. When the passengerarrives aboard the vessel, he authenticates himself at a terminal knownas an entertainment device on board the vessel. A user interfaceconfigured according to his specified preference data is then displayed.While on board, the passenger can interact with the entertainment deviceto listen to music, watch videos, chat with other passengersindividually or in a group, order meals, check e-mail, and the like.Updates to user preferences are stored locally on board the vessel andforwarded to the ground-based site when a connection is available. In analternative embodiment, a connection is available while the vessel isunderway, and the local system can communicate with the ground-basedsite in real time instead of through a store-and-forward method,allowing instant authentication and updating of the user's account.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a method for providing personalized services topassengers in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example user interface for setting userpreferences in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a user interface page for creating an audio playlistin accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a search results user interface page for creating anaudio playlist in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a playlist editing page for editing playlist contentin accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a user interface for editing and removing playlistsin accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates an in-flight entertainment device and controller inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a user interface including a navigation menu bar inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a menu bar for navigating functions ofa media player in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 11 illustrates an interface for selecting a type of video contentin accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 illustrates an interface for displaying available video contentin accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 illustrates an content programming guide in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 illustrates an interface for selecting audio content inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 illustrates an interface for displaying available audio contentin accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 illustrates an interface for displaying album information inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 illustrates an interface for editing a playlist in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 illustrates an interface for publishing a playlist in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 illustrates an interface for setting up a seat-to-seat chat inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 illustrates a seat map for selecting participants for aseat-to-seat chat in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 21 illustrates a multi-session seat-to-seat chatting interface inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 illustrates a setup screen for a movie chat in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 illustrates a chat room selection screen in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 illustrates a business-oriented chat room in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25 illustrates an interface providing an inventory manager functionof an amenities module in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 26 illustrates a selection menu for selecting food and beverageitems in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 27 illustrates an order fulfillment screen in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 28 illustrates a detailed order view screen in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 29 illustrates an example of a navigation screen on anentertainment device in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

The figures depict preferred embodiments of the present invention forpurposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readilyrecognize from the following discussion that alternative embodiments ofthe structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed withoutdeparting from the principles of the invention described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates a system 100 for providing on-board services andentertainment in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.System 100 includes a ground system 132 and an on-board system 101.Ground system 132 includes a web server 124, authentication module 126,user database 128, preferences database 134, playlist database 136, andvessel communication server 130. On-board system 101 includesentertainment devices 102, amenities module 104, media server 106, userpreferences database 108, seat-to-seat chat server 110, synchronizationmodule 112, satellite receiver 114, amenities manager 116, mediadatabase 118, transactions database 120, vessel inventory database 122,playlists database 138 and personalization server 140. Each of thesecomponents of system 100 is described further below. Also included inFIG. 1 is a user terminal 136, allowing access, e.g., via the Internet,by a user to ground system 132.

Note that in FIG. 1, only a single entertainment device 102 isdepicted—this is purely for convenience of illustration. On-board system101 includes multiple entertainment devices in communication withcomponents of on-board system 101 and with each other as describedfurther below.

FIG. 2 illustrates a method for providing personalized services topassengers in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Tobegin, a user accesses 202 web server 124 using a terminal 136 such as ahome computer, PDA, mobile phone, etc. If the user is a returning user,he is authenticated f03 by authentication module 126; if he is a newuser, he registers with system 100, and an account is established forhim in user database 128. Next, the user sets 204 his preferences. Inthe case where the user is a returning user and already has establishedpreferences, the user can edit those preferences as well.

Many different preference settings may be established by the user. Inone embodiment, and referring to FIG. 3, preferences include a defaultlanguage selection 302; default time zone 304; accept chats 306;parental control 308; and default currency 310. The default languagesetting 302 controls the language in which the user interface ofentertainment device 102 is displayed. The default time zone 304 settingcontrols which time zone is used to display content such as an in-flightprogram guide on entertainment device 102. The accept chat requestssetting 306 controls whether other passengers aboard a vessel are ableto initiate seat-to-seat chats with the user. The parental controlsetting 308 allows or restricts content designated as adult from beingdisplayed on entertainment device 102. This might include, for example,movies rated for an adult audience. Default currency 310 specifies inwhich currency for-sale items such as food and catalogue items should bepriced. Once the user has indicated his preferences, he can select abutton to either cancel 312, set up playlists 314 or indicate that he isfinished entering preferences 316. The user's set preference settingsare stored in user preferences database 134.

FIG. 4 illustrates a user interface (UI) page 400 of web server 124 forcreating an audio playlist in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. UI page 400 allows a user to search by song name 402,album name 404 or artist 406. In the illustrated embodiment, the user isabout to execute a search for an album named “Monkey Business”. Toexecute the search, the user clicks the appropriate “search” button 408.

FIG. 5 illustrates a results page 500 showing results of the search forthe “Monkey Business” album in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. Results page 500 displays the name 502, artist 504,album 506, and time 508 for all tracks on albums containing the name“Monkey Business”. Each result also includes an “Add” button 510. Theuser clicks the appropriate Add button 510 for each track he would liketo add to the playlist. Alternatively, the user can click the “AddAlbum” button 512 to add all tracks on the album to the playlist.

Once the user has added any desired tracks or albums from the resultspage to the playlist, and referring now to FIG. 6, a playlist editingpage 600 is displayed. A playlist editing region 602 displays thecurrent tracks in the audio playlist, including name, artist, album andtime. By highlighting a track and selecting a move up 604 or move down606 button, the order of the playlist is easily changed. A remove button608 allows a track to be removed from the playlist; an “add more songs”button 609 allows the user to add additional songs to the playlist,e.g., via user interface page 400. The user can also name the playlistin field 610, particularly useful for publication or for instances inwhich a user has multiple playlists.

Playlist editing page 600 also allows the user to specify a publishingoption for the playlist. In one embodiment, publishing options includepublishing for all passengers 612, which allows access to the playlistby all passengers on all vessels associated with system 100; publishingonly for passengers traveling on the same vessel as the user 614; andnot publishing for anyone 616.

Once the user has created the playlist and specified its publicationsettings, the playlist is stored in playlist database 136 and associatedwith the user's account in user database 128. Playlists can bedisplayed, edited and removed through a user interface 700 such asillustrated in FIG. 7. In FIG. 7, all playlists associated with the userare displayed in region 702, including their name, creation date, andpublication setting. An edit button 704 allows the user to return to theplaylist editing interface of FIG. 6, while a remove button 706 deletesthe playlist.

Although the example illustrated above details the creation and editingof audio playlists, video playlists may be created in an analogousmanner.

Returning to FIG. 2, once preferences and playlists have beenestablished, the user makes a reservation 206 or otherwise securespassage aboard a vessel associated with system 100. The user'spreference data is identified by cross-referencing the vesselreservation data or passenger manifest with user database 128. Thecross-reference may involve simply matching the name of the user tonames stored in user database 28, or may include using an affinityprogram identifier such as a frequent-flier number that is received fromthe user at booking time and additionally stored in user database 128 toallow cross-referencing. Alternatively, the user may use web server 124to make his reservation, and provided he is authenticated byauthentication module 126 the reservation can be automaticallyassociated with his account in user database 128.

In one embodiment, user preference data is pre-loaded 208 to on-boardsystem 101 prior to the user's voyage. In one embodiment, vesselcommunication server 130 is in communication with synchronization module112 of on-board system 101, e.g., while an aircraft is on the ground, aship is in port, etc. Communication may be effected using, for example,using the Terminal Data Loader (TDL) device from IMS of Anaheim, Calif.,which supports wireless communication using 802.11, GSM or CDMAtechnologies. Alternatively, passenger data may be supplied on CD, DVD,tape, or another medium. Vessel communication server 130 provides asubset of user information from user database 128 corresponding to thepassenger manifest; user preferences from user preferences database 134corresponding to the subset of users; and any associated playlists fromplaylist database 136. Once the user preference data is made availableto on-board system 101 it is stored in passenger database 142, userpreferences database 108, and playlists database 138, respectively.

Once on board the vessel, the user interacts with system 100 throughentertainment device 102. FIG. 8 illustrates an example entertainmentdevice 102 and its controller 804. In one embodiment, entertainmentdevice 102 includes a touch screen and is mounted on the back of a seat,such as an aircraft seat or train seat. Alternatively, it may be storedin an armrest or in a fold-away position, such as to accommodate rows ofseats that do not have other seats in front of them, or where the seatin front is too far to support easy use of an in-seat panel. In othertypes of vessels such as a ship, the panels may be mounted instaterooms, public areas, or designated entertainment areas of the ship.Controller 804 provides an additional method of input for entertainmentdevice 102 in addition to the touch screen. In one embodiment,entertainment device 102 includes hardware such as the AVOD system byPanasonic adapted to execute software stored on a computer readablemedium to provide the functionality described herein.

The user logs in 210 (FIG. 2) to on-board system 101 by providing alogin name and optionally a password through entertainment device 102.Personalization server 140 authenticates the user's login informationagainst passenger database 142, retrieves the user's preference datafrom on-board user preferences database 108, and retrieves the user'splaylists from on-board playlists database 138. Personalization server140 provides the retrieved personalization information to entertainmentdevice 102, and entertainment device 102 displays 212 (FIG. 2) a userinterface corresponding to the provided preferences. In one embodiment,a default profile is used for users who have not established an account,or who have established an account but not provided some or all of theavailable preference data.

Entertainment device 102 enables users to select from a variety ofentertainment and service options. In one embodiment, and referring toFIG. 9, a user can select options on menu bar 902, including Watch 904,Listen 906, Play 908, Talk 910, Read 912, Eat 914, Shop 916, Kids Play918, and Quicknav 920. In addition, menu bar 902 provides a button 922for access to an information and help screen as well as a button 924 toaccess the media player interface.

FIG. 10 provides an example of a menu bar 1002 displayed in response toactivation of media player button 924. Menu bar 1002 displaysinformation 1004 about the media currently being played, be it audio orvideo. A program guide button 1006 activates the program guideinterface; channel up and channel down buttons 1008, 1010 allowselection of different audio or video programming; volume button 1012allows volume adjustment, in one embodiment causing a pop-up window whenactivated (not shown), the pop-up window having a volume up and volumedown button; and an on/off button 1014 for turning on or off the videocontent. Menu bar 1002 also displays a button 1016 for returning to themain menu 902, a button 1018 for activating the information and helpmenu, a button 1020 for displaying the meal ordering interface, and abutton 1022 for accessing the personalized media menu.

FIG. 11 illustrates an interface 1100 displayed in response to selectionof watch button 904 (FIG. 9) in one embodiment. Interface 1100 providesoptions for watching movies 1102, music videos 1104, TV 1106, premium TV1108, and short films 1110.

In one embodiment, movies, music videos, premium TV and short filmsrepresent content stored on media server 106. When a user chooses one ofthese options, a list of available content is displayed, and the userselects the content he wishes to view. For example, selection of thepremium TV option 1108 displays an interface such as the interface 1200illustrated in FIG. 12. Interface 1200 displays a scrollable list 1202of premium TV available for streaming to entertainment device 102 frommedia server 106. In the illustrated case, title and episode informationis displayed along with a price. When the user makes a selection of oneof the TV programs, he is invited to swipe a credit card through creditcard reader 806. A record of the credit card transaction is stored intransactions database 120, and media server 106 begins streaming the TVprogram to entertainment device 102.

In other embodiments, a fee is not charged for displaying content. Onesuch alternative embodiment includes providing content free of charge topassengers in a premium cabin such as first class.

Selection of the movies 1102, music videos 1104 and short films 1110options allows viewing of that content in a manner analogous toselection of premium TV. The selected content is then streamed frommedia server 106 to entertainment device 102, and any fees charged arestored in transactions database 120 for subsequent forwarding to groundsystem 132 via synchronization module 112.

On-board system 101 includes in one embodiment a satellite receiver 114designed to receive television, radio and other transmissions fromsatellite broadcasters such as DISH Network by EchoStar Satellite L.L.C.and XM Satellite Radio. Selection of TV option 1106 allows a user toview broadcasts received by satellite receiver 114, i.e. to watch livetelevision and listen to live radio broadcasts.

In one embodiment, and referring to FIG. 13, when a user selects thetelevision option, a programming guide 1300 is displayed. Theprogramming guide 1300 includes a list 1302 of channels available onboard the vessel from satellite receiver 114, a time slot indicator1304, and programs 1306 viewable on each channel during each time slot.In one embodiment, the time slot indicator 1304 indicates timesaccording to the time zone specified in user preferences database 108for the logged-in user. In one embodiment, the programming guide 1300only displays time slots that correspond to the voyage of the vessel—forexample, on an aircraft flight the programming guide displays onlyprograms in time slots during which the flight will be in the air. Alsoin one embodiment, where the expected end of the voyage and the end of atime slot do not overlap, an indicator is placed in the program grid forthose programs that will not be completed before the voyage ends. Forexample, the programs affected can be displayed in a different color;alternatively a vertical line or other indicator is overlaid on thegrid.

Once the user has selected a program to watch from programming guide1100, streaming of that programming begins.

FIG. 14 illustrates an interface 1400 for listening to audio displayedin response to selection of the listen menu button 906. Interface 1400allows a user to choose between selecting from all artists 1402,searching by the artists' alphabetical location 1404, selecting from aspecific genre 1406, selecting from a list of popular audio content1408, or playing a playlist 1410.

Selecting the all artists option 1402 provides a user interface screen1500 such as the one illustrated in FIG. 15. Interface 1500 includes ascrollable list 1502 of albums, each album listed by its artist name,album name, and a thumbnail image of the album. Those of skill in theart will appreciate that albums could be listed differently, or withoutthumbnails. By pressing the up 1504 or down 1506 arrows, additionalalbums can be listed. Selection of an album causes additionalinformation the album to be displayed, including its track listings, asillustrated in FIG. 16. In user interface 1600, tracks can be played bypressing play button 1602 next to the desired song; alternatively,individual songs or the entire album can be added to a playlist byselection of button 1604 or 1606, respectively. The creation ofplaylists is described above with respect to FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, andFIG. 7.

FIG. 17 illustrates a playlist interface 1700 displayed in response toselection of playlist option 1410 (FIG. 14). Playlist interface 1700 issimilar to the web-based interface described above with respect to FIG.7. Selecting a publish playlist button 1702 causes publishing interface1800 (FIG. 18) to be displayed. Using the publishing interface 1800, theuser can provide a title 1802 and the user's own name 1804 forpublication details. Once a user has published a playlist, it isavailable for viewing or listening by other passengers aboard the user'svessel, or aboard any associated vessels, depending on the privacyoption selected. In embodiments in which the vessel does not have areal-time connection to ground system 132 and is not in synchronouscommunication with other vessels, playlist database 138 stores the newplaylist and forwards it to ground system 132 when a connection isestablished.

Selection of play button 908 (FIG. 9) displays a user interface pagefrom which a user can play a game stored on on-board system 101. In oneembodiment, multiple passengers can play the same game against oneanother, with each entertainment device 102 playing the gamecommunicating with one another via media server 106 to share gameinformation. In one embodiment, passengers can use a game controllersuch as controller 804 to play games. Alternatively, they may use thetouch screen of entertainment device 102.

Selection of talk button 910 allows the user to talk with otherpassengers aboard the vessel in real time. The chat may be eitherpoint-to-point or server-based, and may be between only two people, orbetween multiple participants. To begin, referring to FIG. 19, the userenters his chat nickname into field 1902. Next, turning to FIG. 20, aseat map 2000 is displayed to the user. The seat map indicates thelocation of other passengers who have made themselves available toengage in a chat, for example by setting their preferences as describedabove with respect to FIG. 3. For example, “christinaV” is in seat 4A,and “susie” is in seat 4B. By selecting the icon 2002 for susie, theuser indicates that he would like to chat with her. In the illustratedcase of FIG. 20, the user has selected “susie” in 4B, “nate” in 5D, and“vincent” in 5E. Note that in the illustrated embodiment, thepassengers' locations are always displayed next to their names, as asafeguard against harassment or impersonation of others. After the userselects the passengers he would like to chat with, he clicks the “startchat” button 2004 to initiate the chat. Each invited passenger isalerted via their entertainment device 102 that the user has invitedthem to a chat, and each passenger may accept, decline, or block theuser from inviting them again.

FIG. 21 illustrates a multi-session seat-to-seat chatting interface 2100in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. One region2102 of the interface shows a list of participants in the chat, as wellas their location. In the illustrated embodiment, the vessel is acommercial aircraft, and the location of each passenger chatting isidentified by seat number. The user's own name is displayed in italics,or otherwise differentiated from the remaining participants' names, inone embodiment. Another region 2104 includes the text of the chat,including the name of the passenger authoring each transmission. Region2104 also displays join and leave notices, indicating when a passengerhas entered or left the chat room. A user may participate in multiplechat sessions simultaneously. In the illustrated case of FIG. 21, theuser is participating in seven chats simultaneously, indicated as chat 1through chat 7.

As noted, each passenger participating in the chat does so via his orher respective entertainment device 102. Each device is in communicationwith seat-to-seat chat server 110, which receives transmissions fromeach device and broadcasts the transmissions to the other participantsin the chat. In an alternative embodiment, each entertainment device 102is in direct contact with each other device 102, and the chat is carriedout in a peer-to-peer manner.

System 100 also enables passengers to chat in chat rooms havingdedicated topics. In one embodiment, all users watching the same videocontent or listening to the same audio content are able to join a chatroom to discuss the video or audio content simultaneously. FIG. 22illustrates a setup screen on which a user specifies his chat name forsuch a purpose in field 2202. Upon submitting a name, the user enters achat room such as the one depicted above with respect to FIG. 21, butwherein the participants are those watching the indicated video oraudio. In one embodiment, video content being discussed is displayed ona portion of entertainment device 102 simultaneously alongside the chatroom application.

In addition, passengers can join chat rooms directed to specific topics.FIG. 23 provides an example of a chat room selection screen 2300 thatprovides passengers with an opportunity to join chat rooms discussingbusiness 2302, sports 2304, politics 2306, entertainment 2308, anddeparture/destination cities 2310 relevant to the vessel's voyage. Thenumber of participants in each chat room is also displayed. Selectingone of the available chat rooms causes the user to enter the selectedroom to chat, such as through the user interface 2400 illustrated inFIG. 24 for a business-oriented chat room.

In one embodiment (not shown), where the vessel has a real-time link toa communications network such as the Internet, a sub-menu of talk button910 allows a user to access web-based e-mail and other Internetresources.

Activation of the read button 912 (FIG. 9) enables the user to viewonline reading material such as novels, periodicals and newspapers.Newspapers and periodicals are in one embodiment pre-loaded to mediaserver 106 prior to each voyage, or are updated periodically or in realtime when the vessel has a connection to a server that provides theupdates. In one embodiment, preferred reading materials are establishedby the user as preference data, and are stored in preferences database134 and provided to on-board system 101 with other preference data asdescribed above. In one embodiment, passengers can also access web sitesand other networked locations as described above, where a real-timecommunications link exists with the network.

System 100 includes an amenities manager 116 and amenities module 104 toenable passengers to order amenities such as food, drink and shoppingitems through entertainment device 102 from real-time inventory on boardthe vessel.

Commercial operators of vessels such as aircraft and trains often offerfood and beverage service to their passengers. Such meal service istypically offered on a periodic basis, for example mid-flight forairplane food service, and hourly for beverage service. A food andbeverage cart is typically wheeled through the aisles of an aircraft todeliver to each passenger, taking up space and making it difficult forother passengers to move through the aircraft.

The on-board amenities system of on-board system 101 enables passengersto order the food and beverage of their choice from a real-timeinventory listing, and to place the order at a time of their choosing.It also allows the aisles to remain free of service carts, since byfulfilling individual orders on demand, there is no longer any need tomove through the aisles on a periodic schedule to determine whether anypassenger wants any service item.

FIG. 25 illustrates an interface 2500 providing an inventory managerfunction of amenities module 104. Amenities module 104 in one embodimentis a tablet PC that is easily transported around the aircraft. Amenitiesmodule 104 may also be fixed to a location on the vessel, for example inthe vessel's galley. Inventory manager 2500 includes a list of items2502; a quantity 2504 for each listed item; and an add button 2505,reduce button 2506, and delete button 2508 for each listed item.Inventory manager 2500 is populated by amenities manager 116 with a listof items 2502 currently aboard the vessel, a record of which is storedin vessel inventory database 122, and the quantity 2504 of each of theitems. For example, in the illustrated case, there are 44 chickensandwiches on board the vessel. The inventory may be initiallyprogrammed by a crew member, or may be pre-loaded prior to the vessel'sdeparture through synchronization module 112.

Passengers interact with amenities manager 116 through theirentertainment device 102 by selecting the eat button 914 (FIG. 9). FIG.26 illustrates a selection menu 2600 for selecting food and beverageitems to order. As a user scrolls through the list of available items,each item is displayed along with a description and price, ifappropriate. Any item can be added to an order, also known as a cart, bysimply touching the item on the screen. In one embodiment, entertainmentdevice 102 receives the list of available items from amenities manager116, so that the items displayed to users reflect only the actualinventory on the vessel at that moment.

Once the user has selected all of the desired items and placed them intohis cart, an order review and completion screen (not shown) allows theuser to review the order and to submit it for fulfillment. In oneembodiment, a fee is charged for some or all of the items available, andthe user swipes a credit card through credit card reader 806 as part ofthe ordering process. Alternatively, the user may pay using cash whenthe order is fulfilled.

Once an order has been submitted, it appears on an order fulfillmentscreen 2700 of amenities module 104, an embodiment of which isillustrated in FIG. 27. In the illustrated embodiment, each order isgiven an ID 2702, and its location 2704, order time 2706, and status2708 are also displayed. From the order fulfillment screen 2700, anattendant such as a crew member can activate a button to indicate thatthe order is complete 2710, canceled 2712, or can view the order details2714. FIG. 28 provides an illustration of a detailed order view 2800that is displayed in response to activation of button 2714. In theillustrated case, the passenger located at seat 14D has ordered abreakfast selection, a Beck's beer, a Heineken, and a glass of cabernetsauvignon wine, totaling $19. Returning to FIG. 27, the attendantreadies the ordered items and by pressing button 2710 informs amenitiesmanager 116 that the order is complete. Amenities manager 116automatically decrements the available inventory of the ordered items,and removes from display on interface 2600 any items that are no longeravailable. Transaction information is stored in transactions database120 for later forwarding, e.g., to a credit card billing system otherdata warehouse as desired. Through interface 2700, an attendant can alsocreate an order using new order button 2716, which can be useful forexample when a passenger approaches the galley and requests an item,rather than placing the order through entertainment device 102. Allowingentry of the order by the attendant ensures that amenities manager 116has an accurate account of the vessel's inventory.

The same approach taken with respect to food and drink is also used toenable an on-board shopping experience. When the user selects the shopbutton 916, a list of items available on board the vessel for purchaseis provided. Each desired item can be added by the user to his cart, andat checkout, amenities module 104 notifies an attendant that a shoppingorder needs fulfillment. Again, amenities manager 116 tracks theavailable inventory of each displayed item in real time, decrementing asappropriate.

In one embodiment, entertainment device 102 can be used by a passengerto indicate a special meal type. For example, a preference configured bythe user either in advance or at entertainment device 102 can specifythat the user wishes to see only kosher options. In this embodiment,food listing 2600 includes only kosher products.

Kids play button 918 provides an interface for younger passengers tohave an entertainment experience suitable for their age. Age-appropriateaudio and video content selection options are provided as sub-menus, asdescribed above for general video and audio selections. A user may alsoselect children's' games from the kids play menu.

Referring to FIG. 29, quicknav button 920 provides an immediate overview2900 of functions available on entertainment device 102, sorted bytop-level function. By selecting a button directly from quicknav screen2900, a user can navigate quickly to a desired function.

Info/help button 922 provides a sub-menu (not shown) with links to helprequest features, for example with instructions on how to use thevarious features of entertainment device 102. In one embodiment, areal-time map is also available, showing the vessel's current location,track, and additional geographic information.

The present invention has been described in particular detail withrespect to a limited number of embodiments. Those of skill in the artwill appreciate that the invention may additionally be practiced inother embodiments. First, the particular naming of the components,capitalization of terms, the attributes, data structures, or any otherprogramming or structural aspect is not mandatory or significant, andthe mechanisms that implement the invention or its features may havedifferent names, formats, or protocols. Further, the system may beimplemented via a combination of hardware and software, as described, orentirely in hardware elements. Also, the particular division offunctionality between the various system components described herein ismerely exemplary, and not mandatory; functions performed by a singlesystem component may instead be performed by multiple components, andfunctions performed by multiple components may instead performed by asingle component. For example, the particular functions ofsynchronization module 112, amenities manager 116, authentication module126, and so forth may be provided in many or one module.

Some portions of the above description present the feature of thepresent invention in terms of algorithms and symbolic representations ofoperations on information. These algorithmic descriptions andrepresentations are the means used by those skilled in the entertainmentsystem arts to most effectively convey the substance of their work toothers skilled in the art. These operations, while describedfunctionally or logically, are understood to be implemented by computerprograms. Furthermore, it has also proven convenient at times, to referto these arrangements of operations as modules or code devices, withoutloss of generality.

It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and similar termsare to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and aremerely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unlessspecifically stated otherwise as apparent from the present discussion,it is appreciated that throughout the description, discussions utilizingterms such as “processing” or “computing” or “calculating” or“determining” or “displaying” or the like, refer to the action andprocesses of a computer system, or similar electronic computing device,that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical(electronic) quantities within the computer system memories or registersor other such information storage, transmission or display devices.

Certain aspects of the present invention include process steps andinstructions described herein in the form of an algorithm. It should benoted that the process steps and instructions of the present inventioncould be embodied in software, firmware or hardware, and when embodiedin software, could be downloaded to reside on and be operated fromdifferent platforms used by real time network operating systems.

The present invention also relates to an apparatus for performing theoperations herein. This apparatus may be specially constructed for therequired purposes, or it may comprise a general-purpose computerselectively activated or reconfigured by a computer program stored inthe computer. Such a computer program may be stored in a computerreadable storage medium, such as, but is not limited to, any type ofdisk including floppy disks, optical disks, CD-ROMs, magnetic-opticaldisks, read-only memories (ROMs), random access memories (RAMs), EPROMs,EEPROMs, magnetic or optical cards, application specific integratedcircuits (ASICs), or any type of media suitable for storing electronicinstructions, and each coupled to a computer system bus. Furthermore,the computers referred to in the specification may include a singleprocessor or may be architectures employing multiple processor designsfor increased computing capability.

The algorithms and displays presented herein are not inherently relatedto any particular computer or other apparatus. Various general-purposesystems may also be used with programs in accordance with the teachingsherein, or it may prove convenient to construct more specializedapparatus to perform the required method steps. The required structurefor a variety of these systems will appear from the description above.In addition, the present invention is not described with reference toany particular programming language. It is appreciated that a variety ofprogramming languages may be used to implement the teachings of thepresent invention as described herein, and any references to specificlanguages are provided for disclosure of enablement and best mode of thepresent invention.

Finally, it should be noted that the language used in the specificationhas been principally selected for readability and instructionalpurposes, and may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribethe inventive subject matter. Accordingly, the disclosure of the presentinvention is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scopeof the invention.

1. A method for providing in-flight multimedia entertainment, the method comprising: receiving, by a computer from a first aircraft passenger, a multimedia playlist, the multimedia playlist describing a plurality of multimedia content items selected by the first passenger for consumption during a voyage of the aircraft; and distributing, by a computer, the multimedia playlist to a plurality of other passengers on board the aircraft.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the multimedia playlist is received from the first aircraft passenger prior to embarkation.
 3. The method of claim 1 further comprising distributing, by the computer, the multimedia playlist to a second plurality of passengers, the second plurality of passengers located aboard at least one additional aircraft.
 4. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving from the first aircraft passenger a preference setting, the preference setting indicating whether the playlist is to be shared with a second plurality of passengers, the second plurality of passengers located aboard at least one additional aircraft.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the multimedia content items include video content items.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the multimedia content items include audio content items. 